Looking At Depression and Anxiety Through The Lens of Scripture written by Cordelia Sikwele

Many times, we think and feel that emotional struggles are flaws or weaknesses that we need to keep hidden, or that they mean that there is something we are not doing right in our walk with God. However, our moments of "weakness" can be great opportunities for God to reveal His great power on our behalf. Recognising and acknowledging this truth enables us to seek the help that we need in order to get better, including going for therapy or counseling, while trusting and knowing that God will be glorified even in our trials and struggles.

The struggle with depression and anxiety is one that I define as a battle between the mind and the self according to the knowledge of God. Depression and anxiety can be caused by a number of things such as trauma, underlying health issues, a painful life experience, loss of a loved one or something that you valued, and/or demonic influence. Experiencing depression or anxiety after something life-altering can be expected; however once this becomes a chronic state, it then poses as a threat. If I remember correctly, one has to recover from depression symptoms in a period of 3 months, even when on medication; however, once they exceed that period, they are now classified as chronic patients, meaning that they will live on medication and with the illness till the end. This is so for people who never got a formal diagnosis but have lived many years depressed or anxious. It gives off the notion that they will live the rest of their lives that way. However, healing is possible, and I am a living testimony of this truth.

I was diagnosed with chronic depression, severe bipolar disorder, severe personality disorder and anxiety, and by God's grace, I am no longer classified under all that, for God has restored me and healed me. He can do it for you too.

When tackling depression and anxiety, let us keep in mind that these are fruits or outcomes of something much deeper, and that in order for healing to take place, we may need to get to the root first and then work our way up from there. This is not an easy process and can be quite triggering. As we engage the root cause, many other experiences that contributed to the depression and anxiety will show up, and the process will include looking for similarities, finding common thoughts, behaviours, and triggers.

For many, depression and anxiety are disruptive, and the effects on their life and destiny are dire. Depression and anxiety can be used by the enemy to isolate, create a gap in understanding yourself, emotions, thoughts, and these alter and distort your view of God, making you believe that God doesn't care about you, that He doesn't love you, and that you don't matter to Him because of the intense sufferings of depression and the distortions it causes. You will find yourself believing things about God, yourself, and others that are not true, losing joy, dreading life, and suffering immensely in your purpose.

Depression and anxiety make everyday life feel like a battle. It gets so difficult to do even the simplest of tasks or tasks you did with ease before. It becomes a mission to show up for yourself and others, and it is also difficult to seek help, to speak up or explain to yourself and others the exact emotions you are feeling and the kind of thoughts you are having. The thing about depression and anxiety is that they will drag you in deeper and deeper, so much so that it seems like there's no getting out.

Depression and anxiety are heavy, and each person experiences them for different reasons, and they are quite complex. Knowing that it is possible to receive healing from them is important because as you take on this journey, the enemy may attack you. By keeping you in a depressed and anxious state, he is keeping you from living the kind of life that God has for you which is to experience peace, joy, and to fulfill your purpose.

Depression and other mental illnesses are enemies that the forces of evil use to prevent us from moving forward with life. I know that God cares about our mental and emotional health because we see in the bible that God wants all who are anxious and downcast to come to Him. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit", we see in Galatians 6:2 that we should support each other, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation...present your requests to God." That encourages us to present our requests to God in prayer. Depression and anxiety can leave you feeling exhausted, hopeless, powerless, and can take away your will to live. The only time we have no hope is when we refuse His help. Scripture is the prescription for depression, anxiety, and doubt.

I asked myself once if depression and anxiety are because of sin. I asked this because when I was struggling with depression and anxiety, I was told that I am being punished by God because of the sins that I have committed. Depression and anxiety or any other illness are not a punishment from God but sin can influence depression and anxiety in our lives because when we sin, the devil and evil forces will find a gap and make sure to capture us and destroy our lives. That is why it is important that we repent from our sins, read the word of God, pray, and ask God to deliver us from the sins that we struggle with.

Mental illnesses are not sin; they are illnesses and like all other illnesses, can be treated and healed. However, in some cases, they may be a result of sin, e.g. The abuse of substances such as alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, the love of money, lies, and pretense etc. Mental illnesses also don't mean that we lack faith. Just as breaking a leg or catching a flu isn't a result of lack of faith. However, through faith, we believe that we can get better, change our thinking patterns, renew our hope, and help us make sense of the illness we are faced with. Any trauma and pain that we have not dealt with, because of their emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental effects, can cause us to fall into depression and anxiety.

Here is a list of some of the people in the Bible who experienced depression, anxiety, and were suicidal/died by suicide. From the below list, you will also see that each situation was unique. God tells us in His word to cast our burdens/anxieties to Him.

1. Joseph - when his brothers sold him into slavery. "We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life" - Genesis 42:21

2. Job - when he had lost all that he had, including his children and his health. "I loathe my very life; there I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul" - Job 10:1

3. Elijah - he was suicidal and wanted to die. "He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said, "take my life; I am no better than my ancestors" - 1 Kings 19:4. Elijah moved to a cave and the Spirit spoke to him out of a still, small voice with new guidance (1 Kings 19:12). When we listen to the Holy Spirit's voice instead of the threats around us, we can receive that same reassurance.

4. Esther - when she was told that her whole race faces extinction, she was distressed but didn't act hastily. She took it all to God in prayer and fasting. "When Esther's eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress" - Esther 4:4

5. Judas - after he had betrayed Jesus felt remorseful and depressed because of what he had done. So much that he felt the only option he had was to take his own life. "So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself" Matthew 27:5

6. Jesus knew the feelings of depression because He got to experience it. Although God, He was also human, with a body and mind that felt the same things that we do. His struggle at the garden of Gethsemane was a mental and emotional one. "He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled" - Matthew 26:37. Angels came and ministered to Christ in ways that reminded Him of the Holy Spirit who lived within Him (Luke 22:43). His spirit won over and He left this example for us. We are always strengthened with the word of God and the Holy Spirit if we turn to Him.

God can and will save you from depression and anxiety. Surrender to Him, ask for guidance, healing, reassurance, strength, and grace. I have gone through depression, anxiety, and even went as far as attempting suicide, and I know how going through these can be difficult. However, you are not alone. There's help and there's God. You will receive your healing.